Shade gives you and your baby some protection from UV radiation. Dense shade that creates a dark shadow is best.

But UV can still reach you in the shade. So even if you’re sitting in the shade, make sure you and your baby wear protective clothing, and a broad-brimmed hat.

If you’re using a pram, cover it with a shade cloth that lets air get through to your baby. Alternatively, some prams have adjustable canopy tops that can move and offer shade as the sun’s position changes.

If you can’t find shade, make your own using an umbrella or sunshade. Always keep window shades in your car to stick on side windows and protect your baby while you’re driving.

Babies and young children are not able to tell you they are thirsty, so it is important to make sure they are getting enough to drink.

Breast-fed babies may need extra breast-feeds in hot weather, but in most cases other drinks are not needed. Small amounts of cool boiled water can be given between feeds, especially if the baby is having other foods. There is more to read about this in the topic Keeping baby cool in the heat on the Australian Breastfeeding Association website. https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/

Bottle-fed babies may need extra formula or small amounts of cool boiled water if they seem thirsty.

Give young children regular drinks throughout the day, ideally water. Avoid giving sugary or fizzy drinks.

A refreshing idea for young children is to freeze fruit pieces (orange quarters, watermelon) for them to suck on – but be prepared for the sticky mess!

Dress babies and young children in light, loose clothing (singlet and nappy, loose top).

Regularly sponge down with lukewarm water (tepid water), or try a lukewarm bath. Cool or cold water should not be used - babies and children start shivering and usually crying and this causes their temperature to rise. Also it is uncomfortable for anyone to be in cold water.

Choose the coolest place in the house for babies or young children to sleep.

Make sure air can circulate around the bassinette or cot (remove any liners or padding).

Don’t leave babies to sleep in a pram - which can become hot.

If you don’t have a fan or air-conditioner you can cover your baby or young child’s body with cool damp cloths and place wet towels or sheets around the bassinette or cot, to cool the air immediately near them. Check regularly to make sure they are not getting too cold.

If you use a fan, don’t point it towards your baby or child but use it to keep the air circulating in the room.

If you have an air-conditioner, make sure the room does not get too cold, about 24 to 26 degrees Celsius is low enough.

Avoid taking your baby or young child out during times of extreme heat.

Babies can overheat very quickly in hot weather and especially in cars.

Avoid travelling when it is hot. If travel is necessary, do it early in the day.

Even in cool temperatures cars can heat up to dangerously high temperatures very quickly.

Never leave babies, children, or pets alone in a car, even if the air-conditioning is on.

Before you go out in your car, cool it down by opening doors and windows to let the hot air out and turn the air conditioner on.

Make sure a baby or young child does not have the sun shining on them when travelling in a car, or when the car is still, as this can cause overheating even if the air-conditioner is keeping the air in the car comfortably cool.

As their skin is very thin, it can burn from sunlight coming through car windows if their skin is not covered.

Never cover a baby capsule in a car with a rug or towel to shade baby from the sun as this will restrict air moving around the baby, making them hotter. Use a towel to cover the window if you don't have a blind.

When leaving the car, check there are no children left in the car. One way to remind you that a baby or young child is in the car might be to keep a stuffed animal in the baby car seat when empty. When the child is buckled in, put the stuffed animal in the front seat next to you.

It is common in hot weather on parts of the skin that stay moist, such as in the nappy area or under the chin.

Creams such as zinc and cod-liver oil creams, or zinc and castor oil creams will protect the skin. The same creams that are used for protecting the nappy area can be used under the chin and on other areas that may be affected by prickly heat.

Changing the baby's clothes more often, and giving tepid (cool but nor cold) baths can also help.

Heat stroke occurs when too much body water is lost and a baby's or child's temperature starts to rise. It can, if severe, cause damage to the body organs and it can be fatal.

Signs of heat stroke in babies, children and adults, include

rising body temperature

smaller amounts of urine passed than usual, and dark coloured urine

increased thirst - but later as the baby gets weaker he or she may drink less

dry mouth and eyes

headache, muscle cramps

being sleepy or floppy

confusion, shortness of breath and vomiting

coma - not waking up when touched or called.

What to do for heat stroke

If your baby or older child has any of these signs, he needs urgent treatment. While babies and children who are a little dehydrated may be able to recover with extra drinks, by the time a child has signs of heat stroke, he will need treatment in a hospital or other health centre.

What to do while you are getting help for your baby

Call for urgent help, such as calling for an ambulance (000 in Australia), or take your baby to a hospital or doctors clinic. The staff of an ambulance service will be able to start the treatment that is needed.

Cover your baby with cool damp cloths.

Keep trying to give your baby drinks unless your baby is unconscious and not able to swallow safely.

The best drinks are those that are recommended for gastro, (see the topic “Gastroenteritis”).

The information on this site should not be used as an alternative to professional care. If you have a particular problem, see a doctor, or ring the Parent Helpline on 1300 364 100 (local call cost from anywhere in South Australia).

This topic may use 'he' and 'she' in turn - please change to suit your child's sex.